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The Horusian Wars
Agent of the Throne: Ashes and Oaths
An Inquisition audio drama.
When a mission goes badly wrong, Inquisitorial agent Ianthe and her associates are forced into an alliance with a dangerous and unscrupulous figure that could have dire consequences for them all.
Listen to it because:
It's the third act in John French's Scribe award-winning audio drama series, and it sees Ianthe make her most difficult decisions yet, in the name of her mission and her Inquisitorial masters.
The story:
Subterfuge and compromise walk hand in hand for an agent of the Throne. On the blighted world of Dustcorn, an assault on an Inquisitorial target goes badly awry, forcing Ianthe and her associates into a pact with an unscrupulous ally, the mysterious Zand. With her mission in tatters, Ianthe has little choice but to agree to Zand's terms, the assassination of a perfidious traitor. But nothing is simple where Zand is concerned, and Ianthe soon finds herself in a situation that will have far-reaching consequences for her and her team.
Written by John French. Running time 74 minutes. Performed by Beth Chalmers, Cliff Chapman, Steve Conlin, Gesella Ohaka, Colleen Prendergast & Richard Reed.
When a mission goes badly wrong, Inquisitorial agent Ianthe and her associates are forced into an alliance with a dangerous and unscrupulous figure that could have dire consequences for them all.
Listen to it because:
It's the third act in John French's Scribe award-winning audio drama series, and it sees Ianthe make her most difficult decisions yet, in the name of her mission and her Inquisitorial masters.
The story:
Subterfuge and compromise walk hand in hand for an agent of the Throne. On the blighted world of Dustcorn, an assault on an Inquisitorial target goes badly awry, forcing Ianthe and her associates into a pact with an unscrupulous ally, the mysterious Zand. With her mission in tatters, Ianthe has little choice but to agree to Zand's terms, the assassination of a perfidious traitor. But nothing is simple where Zand is concerned, and Ianthe soon finds herself in a situation that will have far-reaching consequences for her and her team.
Written by John French. Running time 74 minutes. Performed by Beth Chalmers, Cliff Chapman, Steve Conlin, Gesella Ohaka, Colleen Prendergast & Richard Reed.
1 pages, Audible Audio
First published May 18, 2019
2 people are currently reading
91 people want to read
About the author
John French
154 books310 followersJohn French is a writer and freelance game designer from Nottingham, England. His novels include the Ahriman series from Black Library, and The Lord of Nightmares trilogy for Fantasy Flight. The rest of his work can be seen scattered through a number of other books, including the New York Times bestselling anthology Age of Darkness. When he is not thinking of ways that dark and corrupting beings could destroy reality and space, John enjoys talking about why it would be a good idea... that and drinking good wine.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 27, 2021
Read the full series review: https://bitsandpieces.games/2021/01/2...
I have to admit a tiny bit of disappointment with Ashes and Oaths. Given the dramas form a trilogy I had hoped for a little more resolution to the few threads there are between the stories. That said it’s another quick adventure for Ianthe, Kul and Autobanas. As before we’re dropped into the middle of the action as something doesn’t go to plan and our protagonist is diverted toward a new goal.
Again we get more insight into Ianthe’s character and a little bit of development from Kul this time. With all the action it needs to pack into just over an hour, they do a good job of managing to squeeze in a few character moments, mainly addressing the question “why do I do what I do?” crops up. Ianthe’s responses to most things are almost a pastiche of the tough and dutiful soldier, though there is a little more depth to her that is subtly alluded to that almost explains her cliched nature.
To clarify my frustration a little more, I think it was the lack of finality that let me down a little. As far as I know, there aren’t any further entries to the series planned. The foreboding in Ianthe’s recollections hint at something grim to come, yet, as is the case for several elements in these stories we’re only left to wonder.
I have to admit a tiny bit of disappointment with Ashes and Oaths. Given the dramas form a trilogy I had hoped for a little more resolution to the few threads there are between the stories. That said it’s another quick adventure for Ianthe, Kul and Autobanas. As before we’re dropped into the middle of the action as something doesn’t go to plan and our protagonist is diverted toward a new goal.
Again we get more insight into Ianthe’s character and a little bit of development from Kul this time. With all the action it needs to pack into just over an hour, they do a good job of managing to squeeze in a few character moments, mainly addressing the question “why do I do what I do?” crops up. Ianthe’s responses to most things are almost a pastiche of the tough and dutiful soldier, though there is a little more depth to her that is subtly alluded to that almost explains her cliched nature.
To clarify my frustration a little more, I think it was the lack of finality that let me down a little. As far as I know, there aren’t any further entries to the series planned. The foreboding in Ianthe’s recollections hint at something grim to come, yet, as is the case for several elements in these stories we’re only left to wonder.
June 24, 2019
The third instalment in the excellent Agent of the Throne audio drama series (and follow up to the Scribe Award-winning Truth and Dreams), Ashes and Oaths continues the story of inquisitorial agent Ianthe and the dangerous missions she’s sent on by Inquisitor Covenant. This time around Ianthe and her team are tasked with acquiring the services of an ex-Administratum information broker, on the war-scarred world of Dustcorn. When things don’t quite go to plan, and a dubious figure from a past mission reappears, Ianthe is forced to make some unwelcome compromises in order to get the job done.
This is really a story about how far servants of the Throne are prepared to go in order to achieve their goals, and the ways they find to cope with the repercussions of their actions. Excellent performances abound, while once again (and entirely unsurprisingly) the standard of sound design – especially the contrast in dynamics between the explosive mission segments and the hushed moments of reflection – is second to none. As a standalone audio drama it’s action-packed and entertaining, but it’s as a development of these characters that it truly shines.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2019/06/...
This is really a story about how far servants of the Throne are prepared to go in order to achieve their goals, and the ways they find to cope with the repercussions of their actions. Excellent performances abound, while once again (and entirely unsurprisingly) the standard of sound design – especially the contrast in dynamics between the explosive mission segments and the hushed moments of reflection – is second to none. As a standalone audio drama it’s action-packed and entertaining, but it’s as a development of these characters that it truly shines.
Read the full review at https://www.trackofwords.com/2019/06/...
February 24, 2026
Part 1 I was intrigued and enjoying the graphic audio style treatment, part 2 I was losing some interest, and part 3 was the worst one along with not properly balanced audio levels and I grew very tired of the robotic voice. No depth, hardly if any character development, this 3 part series that should have simply been one, was like listening to 3 action movie trailers on audible.
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June 13, 2019This was fun. Would be a really neat scenario for an RPG.
November 14, 2021
Well that was a disappointing conclusion of the three parts. Went from exciting action and tension right back to typical W40K haughty spiritual leader nonsense.
September 11, 2023
Well-produced, interesting set-up for a plot line. Too bad it seems like it won't be continued?
February 1, 2024
My favourite of the series so far. Great action SFX and a great story. Mr. French WE NEED MORE of Ianthe and Kull!
December 8, 2024
Solid addition to this series. If you liked the others you'll like this one.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews